Meet Nastaran Foyouzi Yousefi of Southern California Fertility Center (SCFC)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nastaran Foyouzi Yousefi.

Hi Nastaran, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, where my early fascination with the miracle of life inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. After completing medical school and an OB/GYN residency in Iran, I realized that my true passion lay in the field of reproductive medicine—helping individuals and couples build the families they dream of. In 2001, I made one of the most defining and challenging decisions of my life: to leave my home country and start anew in the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a fertility specialist.

My American journey began at Yale University, where I spent five years deeply engaged in reproductive research and academic medicine. As an immigrant woman, I quickly learned that success here would demand more than knowledge or ambition—it required resilience, perseverance, and the willingness to work harder than anyone else just to step through the door of opportunity. Every milestone I achieved was built on long hours, unrelenting focus, and the determination to prove myself in an entirely new world.

During my time at Yale, I was fortunate to have an extraordinary mentor who forever changed the course of my life. He not only guided me as a scientist and physician but also taught me how to be a better human being—to lead with compassion, to find joy in the success of others, and to use my achievements to lift those around me. His example continues to shape how I practice medicine and mentor the next generation of physicians.

After publishing multiple research papers at Yale and completing my U.S. medical licensing exams, I began my clinical training—starting my internship at Yale and completing my OB/GYN residency at Washington University in St. Louis. My passion for discovery led me next to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where I completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Following my fellowship, I joined the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor as a faculty member, where I was honored to receive the prestigious WRHR (Women’s Reproductive Health Research) Scholar Award from the National Institutes of Health. This experience deepened my commitment to integrating scientific innovation with compassionate care and inspired me to bridge the fields of reproductive medicine and genetics. I later pursued my third formal training in Medical Genetics at UCLA—becoming one of fewer than ten board-certified reproductive geneticists in the United States.

Throughout my career, I have worked across diverse settings—from leading academic institutions to pioneering start-ups—building fertility programs, mentoring young physicians, and helping patients achieve their dreams of parenthood. Every experience reinforced my belief that true success is not just measured by accomplishments, but by the perseverance it takes to achieve them, and by the generosity with which we share what we’ve learned along the way.

Today, I am the proud founder of Southern California Fertility Center in La Jolla, California, where I blend the science of reproductive endocrinology with the precision of medical genetics to provide personalized, compassionate fertility care. My mission is to guide patients with empathy, integrity, and excellence—because I know firsthand that every dream, no matter how distant it may seem, can be reached through resilience, hard work, and hope.
Looking back—from Tehran to Yale, from the uncertainties of immigration to the privilege of healing others—I am deeply grateful for every challenge, mentor, and patient who has shaped my journey. The path was never easy, but every obstacle strengthened my determination and deepened my empathy. The long nights of study, the cultural and professional barriers, and the moments of doubt all became stepping stones toward a life of purpose. I have learned that true fulfillment does not come from titles or accomplishments alone, but from the people whose lives we touch along the way.
My mentors taught me the power of humility, generosity, and human connection. My patients have shown me what courage and hope truly mean, reminding me every day why I chose this calling. Each story of struggle, perseverance, and new life has left an imprint on my heart and reaffirmed that medicine is not merely a profession—it is a profound privilege.

Today, when I reflect on the road that brought me here, I see more than a career; I see a journey defined by gratitude, resilience, and faith in what is possible. The true purpose of success, I have learned, is not simply to reach the summit, but to extend a hand to others along the way—to lift them up, to celebrate their victories, and to find joy in their success. That, to me, is the most meaningful measure of achievement and the legacy I hope to leave behind.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey was anything but smooth. Balancing demanding clinical work with research, adjusting to new institutions, and constantly striving for excellence as a woman in a competitive field required immense perseverance. There were times of self-doubt, exhaustion, and setbacks—but each obstacle became a lesson in resilience. Every challenge, every late night, and every difficult choice shaped the physician and leader I am today.

Those five years at Yale as a research fellow were some of the most demanding of my life—filled with long hours in the lab, early mornings writing manuscripts, and countless nights of analyzing data while studying for US medical exam to get my Medical degree credentialed in US. It was a period of relentless work, sacrifice, and learning, but also one of profound growth. As an immigrant physician, I had to start over from the very beginning, proving myself in a new country where every credential, every achievement, had to be earned again from scratch.

Repeating my training was one of the hardest tests of my determination. Despite already being a fully trained obstetrician-gynecologist in Iran, I faced the humbling reality of beginning again—first passing the grueling U.S. medical licensing exams, then entering internship and residency in a new language, a new culture, and a medical system where, at times, people looked at me with doubt. I had to constantly prove that I belonged, that my skills and dedication were equal to anyone trained here. Beyond the academic and professional challenges, there was also a deep sense of loneliness that came with being an immigrant. I didn’t grow up watching the same TV shows, sharing the same childhood experiences, or understanding the cultural references and jokes that my colleagues bonded over so easily. There were moments when people laughed together and I smiled politely, not quite understanding why. Sometimes, my lack of familiarity with those nuances led to frustration or misunderstanding—and that isolation cut deeply. But over time, I learned to embrace those differences, to find my own way of connecting, and to let empathy and sincerity bridge the gaps that language and culture could not. Those experiences taught me humility, emotional resilience, and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to belong.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am proud to have established my own fertility practice in La Jolla, California, where I combine advanced science with compassionate, individualized care. As one of fewer than ten board-certified reproductive geneticists in the United States—and one of the pioneers in the emerging field of reproductive genetics—I am deeply passionate about helping patients navigate the most complex fertility challenges. My work focuses on supporting individuals and couples facing recurrent pregnancy loss, hereditary cancer syndromes, or genetic conditions that they wish to prevent from passing on to future generations through IVF and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).

In addition to specializing in reproductive genetics, I help a wide range of patients who struggle with infertility—identifying underlying causes, developing personalized treatment plans, and guiding them with empathy and care through each step of their fertility journey. I am also honored to assist LGBTQ+ families in realizing their dreams of parenthood through innovative reproductive technologies. Bringing new life into the world, witnessing the joy on my patients’ faces, and knowing I played a part in helping them build their families is the greatest reward of all.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is caring deeply for my patients—both physically and emotionally—through every step of their fertility journey. My greatest passion is walking beside them, supporting them through moments of hope, fear, and uncertainty. I strive to hold their hands, to listen, and to help them find strength even when the path feels overwhelming. I always remind my patients that infertility is never their fault—they should never feel guilty for something beyond their control. My role is to empower them, to help them stay positive while being honest and transparent about their chances of success. I want every patient to feel that I am on their side, fighting for them and believing in their dreams as if they were my own.

I do not see my patients as numbers or cases; I see them as individuals with emotions, resilience, and purpose. My connection with them does not end when treatment is over—because for me, their success becomes part of my own story. Seeing their families grow, receiving photos of their babies, and sharing in their joy is the most meaningful reward of my career. Every life created and every family built is a reminder of why I chose this path—to bring hope, healing, and happiness to those who once thought it was impossible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Scfertilitycenter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socalfertilitycenter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socalfertilitycenter
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-california-fertility-center/posts/?feedView=all
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SCFertilityCenter
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/southern-california-fertility-center-la-jolla
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@scfertility.center